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sleeptech

sleeptech
Joined Jun 2017
sleeptech
Joined Jun 2017

Central sleep apnoea is almost never treatable with CPAP. This is because all CPAP does is open you airways up. This is effective in treating OBSTRUCTIVE sleep apnoea as the problem in that case is an obstruction caused by airway collapse. However, Central sleep apnoea involves malfunction of the breathing muscles such that they stop pushing air in and out for short periods. The reason that CPAP almost never works for Central sleep apnoea is that it doesn't matter how much your airway is opened up if them muscles aren't pushing the air in and out. I say "almost never" because I have seen instances of what appears to be central apnoea being corrected by CPAP, but they are rare. In most cases bi-livel ventilation, or Bi-PAP, of some sort is required. The difference is that a BiPAP breathes in and out with the patient, moving up and down between 2 pressures. It also monitors the time between breaths and can add in some breaths if the patient doesn't breathe themselves within a given time. BiPAP is also used for people who don't have gaps in their breathing but just don't push enough air in and out so their oxygen drops and, in some cases, their CO2 rises (respiratory failure). Since BiPAP augments your natural respiratory effort and helps you push more air in and out, it can be very effective in treating this condition. The machines look identical apart from the name on them. It is worth knowing the difference so that you can understand your treatment and make sure it is appropriate. If your doctor (and it should be a doctor) recommends BiPAP (or VPAP or bi-level) treatment then it means you have something other than just simple OSA. Either that or they are looking to make some money because a BiPAP usually costs $AU 5000 - $AU 8000 (you'll have to do the conversion). ASV (Auto Servo Ventilation) is a subset of BiPAP that was invented specifically to treat Cheyne-Stokes breathing (a specific from of central sleep apnoea) in the setting of low CO2. It is NOT effective in helping improve ventilation for people who's muscles are weak. Having said this, may people in the medical field (including doctors) don't really understand ASV, see the "Auto" part of the name, assume they can prescribe it to anyone with central events and it will magically fix them. This is often not the case. Setting any bi-level device properly is a complicated process and should always be done in the setting of a formal, in-lab sleep study conducted by an experienced technician. Sorry to bang on a bit, but I hope this clarifies the whole situation a bit. If you have questions, feel free to ask.